Oakland International teacher wins “Unsung Hero” award

Oakland International High School teacher Thi Bui, right, was awarded $7,000 by the ING Unsung Heroes program.

A parade of ING executives, students and school staff marched into Thi Bui’s Oakland International High School classroom on Wednesday morning to make a surprise announcement. Her 11th graders paused to look up from their computers at the spectacle as three men in suits walked towards their teacher, followed by four of their classmates holding up signs that read “ING Unsung Heroes” and a large mysteriousitem wrapped in brown paper.

“We’re here today to talk about one of the top three winners in the whole United States,” said Bernie Heffernon, a vice president for the financial services firm ING, who had traveled from Kansas City for the presentation. Heffernon said that Bui applied to ING’s Unsung Heroes program earlier this spring, which rewards K-12 teachers who develop creative and innovative lessons. As everyone stared at the mystery package, Heffernon said thatnot only was Bui chosen as one of 100 teachers to receive $2,000 for a classroom project, but she was the program’s third place winner and would be awarded an additional $5,000.

Amidst a suspenseful rustling of brown paper, the students helped Bui unwrap the package, revealing a giant check made out for $7,000 from ING. “I’m totally stunned,” Bui said. “I had no idea this was happening today, or at all.”